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Fishing Starts Here

Port Aransas Fishing Report – July
Conditions: Water temps in the low-to-mid 80s°F. Southeast winds have been moderate, keeping good water movement in the bays. Summer patterns are in full swing with calm morning windows and typical afternoon thunderstorm potential.
What’s Biting Right Now
Offshore & Nearshore 🔥
| Species | Rating | Details |
| Red Snapper | 🟢 Excellent | Federal season is open. Squid, cigar minnows, and live perch are producing great limits on reefs in 60–100 ft of water. State waters (0–9 mi) are open year-round with a 4-fish, 15-inch minimum bag. |
| King Mackerel | 🟢 Very Good | Peak summer numbers. Look around shrimp boats and nearshore structure. Wire leaders are a must. |
| Mahi-Mahi | 🟡 Good | Weed lines 25–40 miles out are starting to hold fish. 10–20 lbs average. Needs a 10+ hour trip to commit. |
| Tarpon | 🟡 Good | Rolling along the beachfront and near the jetties. Catch-and-release only. Sight-casting in 15–40 ft of water. |
| Cobia (Ling) | 🟡 Fair | Around buoys and floating debris. Sight-casting setup works best. |
| Greater Amberjack | 🔴 Closed | Federal waters closed through July 31, 2026 |
Inshore & Surf
| Species | Rating | Details |
| Speckled Trout | 🟢 Excellent | Croaker and live shrimp free-lined along rocks. Grass edges and drop-offs in 3–6 ft of water are holding quality fish. |
| Redfish | 🟢 Very Good | Live shrimp, finger mullet, and shad on the north and south jetties. Oversized reds on cut crab and mullet. Surf fishing is also producing well. |
| Black Drum | 🟡 Good | Live shrimp near deeper channels and shell areas. Consistent action for families. |
| Sheepshead | 🟡 Fair | Around jetty rocks on live shrimp. |
| Sharks | 🟢 Good | Mullet, jacks, and stingray baits in the surf are connecting. |
Where to Go
Best Times to Fish This Week
| Date | Rating | Best Major Window | Best Minor Window |
| Jul 3 (Today) | ⭐ Average | 3:10–5:10 AM / 3:32–5:32 PM | 9:16–10:16 AM / 10:40–11:40 PM |
| Jul 4–5 | ⭐ Average | Early morning and late afternoon | – |
| Jul 12 | ⭐⭐⭐ Better | 10:49 AM–12:49 PM | – |
| Jul 13–14 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best | New moon. Season’s Best on Jul 14 — sunset bite should be exceptional. |
Early mornings and late evenings are producing the most consistent action given the summer heat.
Key Regulations Reminder
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Notes |
| Red Snapper (State) | 4/person | 15″ min | Open year-round |
| Red Snapper (Federal) | 2/person | 16″ min | Season is open |
| Redfish | 3/person | 20–28″ slot | One oversized/year with tag |
| Speckled Trout | 5/person | 15″ min, only one over 25″ | – |
| Black Drum | 5/person | 14–30″ | – |
| Flounder | 5/person | 14″ min | Fall run peaks Oct–Nov |
| Greater Amberjack | Closed | – | Through Jul 31, 2026 |
A valid Texas saltwater fishing license is required for ages 17+. Charter boats cover your license onboard.
Bottom Line
Tight lines from Port A! 🎣
PORT ARANSAS FISHING REPORT
June 2026 | Coastal Bend, Texas
🎣RED SNAPPER SEASON IS OPEN! — Federal WatersCheck TPWD & NOAA for current dates & bag limits
Water Temp
82–85°F
Clarity
3–6 ft
Clearer offshore
Tides
Mixed Semi
Fish the moving tide
Wind
SE 10–20
mph typical
Moon
Full Moon
Plan around tides
🎯Pier Fishing
Port Aransas piers are producing well this June with warm Gulf waters drawing in a variety of species. The Bob Hall Pier and local access points are excellent early morning and late evening.
Target Species
Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout): Still active in the early mornings before water temps peak. Work the troughs and cuts around the pier pilings with soft plastics or live shrimp under a popping cork. Slot fish (15–25″) are common.
Black Drum: Large “bull drum” staging around structure — catch them on fresh crabs or cut mullet fished on the bottom. Fish over 30″ are frequently reported.
Sheepshead: Clinging to every barnacled piling. Fiddler crabs and sand flea rigs get them biting. Require a slow, patient presentation.
Flounder: Showing up in the passes and around pier structure on the bottom. Gulp shrimp and live mud minnows are best.
Ladyfish & Jack Crevalle: Schooling under lights at night — great sport on light tackle.
Pro Tip: Fish the first two hours after sunrise and the two hours before sunset for best trout action. Night fishing under pier lights produces consistent action all summer.
⚓Jetty Fishing
The north and south jetties at Port Aransas Pass are prime real estate in June. The combination of current, structure, and deep water creates a year-round hotspot that peaks in summer.
Target Species
Redfish (Red Drum): Schooling along the granite rocks, especially on incoming tides. Live shrimp, crab, or mullet chunks fished near the rocks are deadly. Look for tailing and waking fish during calmer conditions.
Speckled Trout: Holding in the deeper cuts between rocks. Topwater plugs at first light get explosive strikes.
Spanish Mackerel: Blitzing bait schools in the pass — use a ½ oz. silver spoon or Clarkspoon trolled slowly. Wire leader essential.
Sheepshead & Black Drum: Thick around the jetty rocks. Same rig as pier fishing.
Cobia: PRIME MONTH — sight cast to cobia cruising near the surface along the jetty walls. Large swimming plugs, live eels, or big jigs. Fish of a lifetime potential.
Tarpon: June through August is peak tarpon season. Look for rolling fish at dawn and dusk in the pass. Live mullet or crabs under a float.
Pro Tip: Wade-fish the rocks carefully on a low incoming tide — this puts you in perfect position for trout and reds right in the strike zone. Always wear polarized glasses for sight fishing.
🌊Padre Island National Seashore and the beaches around Port Aransas offer miles of productive surf fishing. June brings warm water and aggressive fish.
Target Species
Pompano: The June pompano run is in full effect. Hit the troughs parallel to the beach with pompano rigs tipped with sand fleas or Fishbites. Fish 2–4 oz pyramid sinkers in the wash.
Whiting (Southern Kingfish): Consistent surf producers year-round — easy to catch and great table fare. Small hooks with shrimp in the second trough.
Redfish: Bull reds and slot fish cruise the surf — cut mullet or fresh ladyfish on 4–6 oz. pyramid sinkers. Fish the first gut closest to the beach.
Sharks: June is excellent for shark fishing from the beach. Large bull sharks, blacktips, and spinners active in the surf. Use heavy tackle, wire leaders, and fresh mullet or stingray.
Bluefish: Occasional bluefish blitzes happen along the beach in early June. Metal spoons and fast retrieves.
Crevalle Jacks: Running the surf parallel to shore — lures and live bait both work.
Best Spots: Mile 5–15 on Padre Island National Seashore, and the beach north of the jetties in Port A.
Pro Tip: Fish 30 minutes before sunrise through 9 AM and again 6 PM through dark. Look for bird activity over bait schools — that’s where the action is. Overcast days with light onshore wind are ideal surf conditions.
🚢Offshore & Nearshore
June is arguably the best month for offshore fishing from Port Aransas. Warm water pushes the blue water action close and red snapper season brings anglers from across the state.
🚨 RED SNAPPER SEASON — OPEN NOW
Federal waters red snapper season is OPEN for recreational anglers. Check current NOAA/TPWD regulations for exact dates and bag limits. Head to the platforms and natural reefs in 80–200 ft of water. Two-fish bag limit per person applies. Use heavy bottom rigs with cut squid or cigar minnows.
Target Species
Red Snapper: ★ STAR OF JUNE — Every platform, reef, and hard bottom from 60 ft out is holding fish. Vertical jigging with 4–8 oz. jig heads or traditional bottom rigs both excel. Morning bites are strongest. Expect fish from 4–15+ lbs.
King Mackerel (Kingfish): Smoking hot right now. Slow-troll live threadfin herring or large cigar minnows around the platforms. Big kings (20–40 lbs) are possible. Wire leader a must.
Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin): Weed lines and color changes 40+ miles out are holding mahi. Look for floating debris and frigate birds. Fast trolling with skirts or pitch live bait.
Yellowfin Tuna: Blue water fishing 80–120+ miles out producing limits for those making the run. Chunking with live bait and high-speed trolling both work.
Greater Amberjack: Stacked on every rig and platform. Big jigs fished vertically get them. Excellent fighters and strong table fare.
Vermilion Snapper (Beeliners): Thick on any live bottom in 80–150 ft. Sabiki rigs and small jigs — fast limits.
Wahoo: Occasional wahoo caught trolling in blue water. High-speed lures or rigged ballyhoo.
Nearshore (30–60 ft)
Pro Tip: Book your red snapper trip early — guide boats fill up fast in June. If going on your own, file a float plan and watch afternoon weather. Gulf thunderstorms build quickly from the west in summer. Return to port by early afternoon.
What’s Biting at a Glance
| Species | Location | Best Bait / Lure | Best Time | Status |
| Red Snapper | Offshore | Cut squid, jigs | Morning | 🔥 HOT – Season Open |
| Redfish | Jetties, Surf | Live shrimp, mullet | Dawn / Dusk | ✅ Good |
| Speckled Trout | Piers, Jetties | Soft plastics, shrimp | Early Morning | ✅ Good |
| Cobia | Jetties | Live eel, big jigs | All Day | 🔥 HOT |
| Pompano | Surf | Sand fleas, Fishbites | Morning | ✅ Good |
| King Mackerel | Offshore / Nearshore | Live bait, spoons | Morning | 🔥 HOT |
| Tarpon | Pass / Jetties | Live mullet | Dawn / Dusk | ✅ Active |
| Black Drum | Piers, Jetties | Fresh crab | Morning | ✅ Good |
| Mahi-Mahi | Offshore | Live bait, skirts | All Day | ✅ Good |
| Flounder | Piers, Passes | Gulp shrimp | Night / Dawn | 🟡 Fair |
Port Aransas Texas, focusing on the piers, jetties, beach/surf, and offshore areas. April marks peak spring fishing here, with warming water temperatures (typically rising from the mid-60s°F to low 70s°F) and increased baitfish activity like mullet, menhaden, and shrimp. Conditions can be windy, so calmer mornings and evenings often provide the best windows.
Piers (e.g., Horace Caldwell Pier, Roberts Point Park Pier)
Piers offer accessible fishing for all skill levels, often producing steady action day and night.
Jetties (North and South Jetties)
The iconic jetties are prime spots for wade or rock fishing, with structure attracting a variety of species. Fishing can be a “grind” in choppy water, but tight to the rocks often holds fish.
Beach/Surf (Mustang Island Beach, Port Aransas Beach Park)
Surf fishing along the beachfront is popular and often productive in April as fish move in with warming waters and bait pushes.
Offshore (Nearshore to Deep Sea)
Offshore trips (via charter from local marinas like Dolphin Dock or Deep Sea Headquarters) heat up in April, with calmer seas early in the month providing smoother rides. Nearshore reefs and rigs see good activity, while longer runs target pelagic species.
Overall Outlook: Fishing has been rated GOOD in recent reports, with solid inshore/jetty/surf action for reds and trout, plus reliable pier/jetty sheepshead and drum. Offshore depends on weather windows but offers variety. Bait availability (live shrimp, mullet) is generally good. Always check current TPWD regulations for bag limits, size restrictions (especially for reds and trout), and any seasonal closures. Water temps around 60°F have been noted recently, with spring transitions bringing more activity.
Pro Tips for April:
After fishing, enjoy Port Aransas’ “Fishing Capital of Texas” vibe with fresh seafood!
Focus on early mornings and evenings for calmer conditions.
Wind can be a factor—monitor tides and surf reports.
Popular access: Jetties and Horace Caldwell Pier for walk-on fishing; charters for offshore.
Spring fishing along the Texas Gulf Coast is in full swing, and Port Aransas waters are heating up with activity both inshore and offshore. Water temperatures are hovering around the 60°F and stable weather has made for consistently productive days on the water.
Inshore
Sheepshead remain excellent targets right now, stacking up around the north and south jetties as the spawn continues. Anglers using live shrimp or fiddler crabs around pilings and rocks are doing particularly well. Redfish are still showing strong numbers along the jetties and in the Lydia Ann Channel, biting on cut mullet, crab, and shrimp. There have been plenty of oversized reds mixed in too. Black drum are common near the docks and deeper channels, especially on fresh dead shrimp.
Surf & Jetty
The surf bite has been lively with pompano, redfish, and trout taking shrimp bites, live shrimp, and cut mullet. Calm mornings and light winds have created good windows for fishing the beachfront. On the jetties, speckled trout are fair with freelined shrimp along the rocks, particularly on outgoing tides.
Nearshore & Offshore
Warmer currents have started to bring blacktip sharks and bull sharks closer to shore, while early jack crevalle activity has been spotted just beyond the breakers.
Offshore boats are beginning to report more consistent action, especially for kingfish and early-season snapper when the weather allows.
Horace Caldwell Pier
The iconic pier stretching 1,240 feet into the Gulf is producing sheepshead, redfish, and black drum, with pompano showing up in the surf zone. Early morning anglers are doing well with live or dead shrimp under popping corks and cut mullet on the bottom. A few trout have also been caught near the pier lights at night. Blacktip and bonnethead sharks are starting to return as the water warms—perfect for those targeting bigger game after sunset.
Roberts Point Park Pier
Action here has been reliable for smaller reds, trout, and gafftop catfish. The channel side is seeing good current flow, and anglers using shrimp bites or live shrimp near structure are filling stringers. Cooler mornings still call for a jacket, but the midday bite is consistent. It’s also a good spot to watch boats and dolphins if the fish slow down.
Conditions & Tips
Water clarity is improving, and bait movement is increasing daily. With spring tides and warming temps, expect fishing to only get better in the coming weeks. If you’re heading out, live shrimp continues to be the most versatile bait inshore, while cut mullet and crabs produce the bigger bites.
Spring in Port A offers some of the best variety of the year — from sheepshead spawning inshore to bull reds cruising the surf, every trip promises action.
tpwd.texas.gov
The next few weeks should bring stronger trout activity and more nearshore predators as Gulf waters warm — the perfect time to line up an early morning launch and take advantage of light winds and rising tides.
Date: May 28, 2025 Overall Conditions: Weather in late May is typically warm and humid, with water temperatures continuing to rise. Winds can vary, so always check the marine forecast before heading out, especially for offshore trips. Tides are a crucial factor; consult local tide charts for optimal fishing times.
Overview: The inshore bite around Port Aransas, including areas like Redfish Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, and the Lydia Ann Channel, should be active. Warmer waters generally mean more active fish.
Target Species & Tactics:
Hot Spots to Consider:
Overview: The offshore scene out of Port Aransas can be very productive in late May, with calmer seas allowing for longer runs. Always ensure your vessel and safety gear are up to par for Gulf conditions.
Target Species & Tactics:
General Offshore Notes:
General Reminders & Tips:
Tight Lines!
General Overview:
Inshore Fishing:
Offshore Fishing:
Key Factors:
Tips for Anglers:
To get the most up to date information, I recommend checking these resources:
“Port Aransas is showing strong signs of a vibrant spring fishing season! With warming waters and increasing bait activity, anglers are finding success both inshore and nearshore.
Tips for Anglers:
I hope this information helps you have a successful fishing trip in Port Aransas!
Overall: Fishing activity in Port Aransas is expected to be HIGH today! This is a great day to get out on the water and try your luck.
Species:
Conditions:
Tips:
Sources:
Additional Notes:
Good luck fishing!
Sure, here’s a fishing report for Port Aransas, TX:
Inshore:
Nearshore/Offshore:
Gulf Waters:
Tips:
Enjoy your fishing adventure in Port Aransas, and tight lines!